Symptoms of a Struvite Kidney Stone
Unlike more common calcium kidney stones, struvite stones are formed by bacterial waste products during a kidney or urinary tract infection (UTI) 2. Struvite stones are more common in women, infants and the elderly as such individuals are more likely to have UTI. The combination of a struvite stone with a UTI is a very serious condition. If you experience symptoms of a kidney stone or infection, contact a doctor right away.
Fever, Chills and Nausea
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that struvite stones are formed from magnesium and ammonia through the action of bacteria during a kidney infection or UTI 2. Struvite stone symptoms mirror those of such infections and include fever, chills, loss of appetite and nausea. If you experience abdominal pain with such symptoms, contact a doctor immediately as kidney infections are a serious medical condition.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains that struvite stones are formed from magnesium and ammonia through the action of bacteria during a kidney infection or UTI 2.
- Struvite stone symptoms mirror those of such infections and include fever, chills, loss of appetite and nausea.
Abdominal Pain
Common Excretory System Diseases
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Struvite stones are typically associated with a burning-like abdominal pain, similar to pain of a kidney or urinary tract infection 2. The pain associated with a struvite stone may not be stinging and cramping like the pain associated with calcium stones. Struvite stone pain tends to be less localized, dull, burning and aching and less likely to come in waves of pain.
Blood in the Urine
Struvite stones and an accompanying infection may damage the inner lining of the urinary tract and lead to the appearance of blood in the urine. The presence of an accompanying kidney or urinary tract infection may also cause urine to be cloudy and take on unusual odor.
Related Articles
References
- NIDDK: What I need to know about Kidney Stones
- NIDDK: Kidney Stones in Adults
- National Institutes of Health. Eating, Diet & Nutrition for Kidney Stones. Updated May 2017.
- Cereda M, Kennedy S. Cereda M, Kennedy S Cereda, Maurizio, and Sean Kennedy.Chapter 61. Anesthetic Considerations for Genitourinary and Renal Surgery. In: Longnecker DE, Brown DL, Newman MF, Zapol WM. Longnecker D.E., Brown D.L., Newman M.F., Zapol W.M. Eds. David E. Longnecker, et al., eds. Anesthesiology, 2e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
- Hwang JQ, Poffenberger C. Hwang J.Q., Poffenberger C Hwang, James Q., and Cori McClure Poffenberger.Chapter 10. Renal and Urinary System Ultrasound. In: Carmody KA, Moore CL, Feller-Kopman D. Carmody K.A., Moore C.L., Feller-Kopman D Eds. Kristin A. Carmody, et al., eds. Handbook of Critical Care and Emergency Ultrasound. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2011.
Writer Bio
Chad Stone is a medical scientist based in the Pacific Northwest. Since 2003, Dr. Stone has has published high-profile articles on the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and cancer in journals such as Blood and the Journal of the American Heart Association. Dr. Stone is a specialist in blood biology as well as cancers of breast, colon, kidney and other tissues.